Ah, yes, Eleanor is no Cinderella, she who owns her lands and chase and castle as a fief from the wretched Lord of Litchfield, but, she has the wherewithal and spunk to defeat most anyone. Most of all, she would like to defeat Lord Hugh, who, at the moment is aggravating her to the umpteenth degree by being his usual arrogant self, disparaging her ability to manage her lands and forest, and, heavens forfend, impugning her honor by accusing her of being so inept that the poachers have almost overridden both their chases. But, all that said, Lady Eleanor would love to write something that would sting Lord Hugh into recognition of her abilities and her honor and her integrity. But, for that, she may need to be published….and even then, if he were to read it, would he be able to infer her longing for him, despite her rancor? So many mixed emotions, dear reader. What think you?

Of course, Eleanor would love to be here, if she knew of it, most especially holding Lord Hugh’s hand, perhaps even sipping a Mai-Tai. She, however, is in her castle in England, gazing out her window at her forest, wishing, wishing, wishing she could catch a glimpse of Lord Hugh, he of the intense blue-eyed gaze. She sighs and looks at the goblet of wine in her hand. No Mai-Tais for her!

‘Tis a shocking fact, but true: Eleanor has never been to the coast! Of course, she knows of the sea, and, in fact, her horrid late husband met his fate on the high seas, on his way to fight in the crusade, but, she has seen only paintings of it. If she visited the shore, ‘t would take her a three days’ journey, because her castle and lands lie in the center of fair England. Indeed, why would she want to leave her forest chase for a glimpse of ocean? Who knows what havoc any miscreants might wreak in her absence– more poaching for that arrogant but ever-so-handsome Lord Hugh to castigate her about? Eleanor holds back a sigh…ah, Lord Hugh. Now, if he were to accompany her on a visit to the coast, ‘twould be an entirely different matter….but, she would have eyes only for him, not any cliffs of Dover or English Channel. So, all she can do is gaze out her window at her green forest, and only imagine it to be the vast blue and grey wave-tossed ocean–and dream of Lord Hugh…

Though being quite well-traveled and well-read for 1272, Lady Eleanor has no idea that far-off Hawaii even exists, and if she did, oh, my, gentle readers, she would daydream about being in that tropical paradise with Lord Hugh, dreaming that he’s holding her gently in his arms as the trade winds caress them….But (cold hard reality!), that’s not likely to happen, since Lord Hugh has made his antipathy toward her very obvious, not to mention his condescending treatment of her, and it’s all over the poaching conspiracy in their adjoining forests and his conviction that women are all brainless ninnies. Little does Lord Hugh know that he is about to get to know the real Lady Eleanor, whose intelligence and wit will vanquish him, leaving him bereft until he can make her his. Oh, so perhaps Eleanor can dream of those tropical sunsets after all, and, the music, oh, the music! ‘Tis not like that music the jongleurs and musicians play in her Great Hall. Nay, not at all. Should you like to sample some, click on the last link below!

Of course, Eleanor has no idea that Daniel Boone (his national day is June 7) ever existed, because he lived in the 19th century, and she lives in the 13th, but, were she to see this painting and to read about him, she would mark a resemblance between him and *sighs* Lord Hugh. They are both brave, intrepid, scornful of risks, and enjoy pursuit of game. Eleanor wishes Hugh would pursue her, naturally, but, so far, he treats her with condescension–when he’s not lambasting her about the management of her forests. Ah, well, Eleanor must needs be patient, just as Daniel Boone was, and she may win her quarry. Perhaps, just perhaps, Lord Hugh will decide he cannot resist her charms any longer. What do you think, dear readers? Will Lord Hugh change the venue for his hunting from his forest chase to Lady Eleanor’s castle?

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As Lady Eleanor gazes out her window at the forest, she can just imagine Lord Hugh cantering on his hunter, steely blue eyes focused on the path ahead leading to her castle, his heart focused on her. Well, truth be told, Eleanor can’t really imagine that — she knows his heart isn’t focused on her, although the reverse is sadly true. She sighs and looks wistfully at a painting only recently sent her by a friend. ‘Tis indeed a lovely view, and she wishes she and Lord Hugh could traverse it, hand-in-hand, their hearts beating as one. If only, dear readers….